Care X National Apprenticeship Week next week!

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2025: 10TH – 16TH FEBRUARY 

 

Theme: Skills for Life – showcasing how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and employers to develop a workforce with future ready skills. 

A national celebration week that brings apprentices, businesses, and education organisations together to highlight the positive impact of apprenticeships. Inspiring the nation with engaging stories of learner progression – sharing their increased confidence, skills, knowledge and how such programmes have kick-started incredible careers. 

This article highlights:

  • Information 
  • NAW Events 
  • YPBMF blog 
  • Useful links and resources 

 

Information 

Care Leavers Apprenticeship Bursary 

Care experienced young people starting their apprenticeship on or after 1 August 2023, can access a £3,000 bursary. It is payable in instalments over the first year of the apprenticeship. 

For an apprentice to be eligible for the care leavers’ bursary, they must: 

  • be aged under 25 at the time they start their apprenticeship 
  • not have received the care leavers’ bursary before 
  • be either an eligible child, a relevant child or a former relevant child 

The bursary is separate to the additional funding that employers and training providers can receive to support care leaver apprentices. 

Find out more on the gov.uk website here: Apprenticeships bursary for care leavers 

Moving On Up Network have created a useful  Care Leavers’ Bursary Flowchart 

 

Care X Key messages  

We encourage all local authorities to consider and celebrate how they support their care experienced apprentices with the 5 key messages from NLCBF’s Care X Apprentice Network: 

Watch & share Care X’s video about the key messages and why they are important to care experienced apprentices: https://youtu.be/_SAAFP4jPds?si=qEpAokloDkqJlLVq 

 

1) Care experienced apprentices need support with career progression 

2) Care experienced apprentices need enhanced wages and financial support 

 3) Care experienced apprentices need good induction & support with the emotional and practical side of their apprenticeship opportunity
4) Care experienced young people need a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities available 

5) Care experienced apprenticeship opportunities should be celebrated sensitively and not add to the stigmatisation of young people. 

 

Read more about Care X’s 5 Key Messages on the NLCBF website.  

 

National Apprenticeship week 2025 – Events

Big Assembly 2025 

Tuesday 11th February 2025, 11:10 – 12:00 (online) 

The Big Assembly is a 100% free live assembly broadcast, shown to over 160,000 people across the UK! 

It’s the place to be to learn all about apprenticeships from various perspectives, including former and current apprentices, employers, education providers, and more. 

You can find out more and register your attendance on the Big Assembly website. 

 

Moving On Up Network 

Wednesday 12th February 2025, 09:30 – 11:30 (online) 

Members of Care X Network will be hosting a panel at Moving On Up Network’s online event. Moving On Up is a collaboration of like-minded organisations who are working to support an increase in care experienced young people accessing apprenticeships. The aim is to help to increase awareness in the barriers and challenges that can face care experienced individuals when trying to access and progress through apprenticeships, and to inspire members to take action, reflect on their own processes and share their learnings with their wider networks. 

The network meets online, 4 times per year, to participate in engaging and informative workshops. The agendas are always packed with brilliant speakers and lots of useful content, and always focussed on the lived experiences of individuals and their apprenticeship journey. 

You can sign up to the Moving On Up Network on the Amazing Apprenticeships website. 

 

How to Manage Wobbly Moments: Managing Stress at Work 

Friday 14th February 2025, 13:00-14:00 (online) 

Led by Lauren Jones from Corndel, this session will include understanding the impact of workplace stress, learning and practicing various breathing techniques to reduce anxiety, and gaining insights into creating a supportive work environment. Participants will engage in a breathwork exercise designed to help alleviate feelings of overwhelm and promote mental well-being. This event is an excellent opportunity for apprentices and professionals alike to enhance their stress management skills and foster a healthier workplace culture. 

You can register for the event here.  

 

To see a range of national and local events happening over the week visit the Events page on the National Apprenticeship Week website.  

 

Useful Links & Resources 

Apprenticeships.gov.uk – Support for care experienced apprentices 

Care Leaver Covenant – regularly update their Apprenticeship opportunities for care experienced individuals. 

Children’s Commissioner blog – Chelsea ‘How my experiences helped me with my apprenticeship’ 

Drive Forward Foundation – Hear from care experienced apprentices about their Apprenticeship Experience 

Moving On Up Network – Care Leavers’ Bursary Flowchart